Bridle.



no. 678,388. Patented July l6, I901. P. H. rumm BRIDLE.

(Applicntion filed Sept. 23, 1899.)

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PATENT OFFICE.

PETER HARVEY FLYNN, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

BRIDLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 678,388, dated July 16,1901. 7

Application filed september 23, 1899. Serial No. 731,466. (No model.)

' of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to anappliance for use in connection with a bit forcontrolling fractious and unruly horses; and it has for its object theprovision of an appliance of this character which is simple inconstruction, in-

. expensive to manufacture,and which operates efficiently in practicaluse.

To attain the desired end, this my invention consists in certain novelfeatures of construction and combination of parts, which will behereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In order to enable my invention to be fully understood, I will proceedto explain the same by reference to the drawings which accom: pany andform a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 represents aplan View of my improved appliance as applied to a bridle-bit. Fig. 2 isa plan view of the same in operation. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of thebit and appliance.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in all the views.

I have found it desirable to make an appliance whereby lateral pressuremay be applied to the checks of an unruly or fractious horse, wherebythe horse may be caused to open its mouth and release the bit, and Ihave therefore constructed according to my invention an appliance of theclass described embodying the preferred construction of parts and theirmutual relationship, combination, arrangement, and organization in acomposite body or structure adapted to perform the function stated in amore certain and perfect manner than heretofore, as hereinafterdescribed.

Referring now. more particularly to the drawings, A denotesa snaffle orjoint bit of ordinary construction, which may be provid ed with rings Afor reins, and cheek-pieces A I provide means whereby lateral pressureas regards the bit may be applied at or near the ends of the same, bywhich the cheeks of the horse are squeezed and great pressure broughtagainst the nerves of the gums when the reins are pulled withextraordinary force, which means consists of a segmental resilientnose-i band B, formed of fiat spring metal and connectedat its ends toelongated link-shaped rigid or non-resilient jaw-pieces B, mounted uponthe ends of the bit. These jaw-pieces B are adapted to bear uponopposite sides of the upper jaw of the horse when moved inward tosqueeze the same and press upon the gums to cause the horse to releasehis hold upon the bit and, to adapt them-to perform this function to thebest advantage, are constructe'd in a peculiar manner. As is well known,the natural tendency of straight jawpieces when used in connection witha jointed or snaffle bit is, when the bit is pulled and theends of the,bit-sections are drawn rear- .wardly, to tilt or incline, thus renderingtheir clamping action on the jaw comparatively weak and ineffective. Toovercome this objection, I curve the inner ends of the jawpiecesoutwardly, so that each normally as sumes a position at an acute angleto the normal position of the bit-sections. When the bit-sections aredrawn upon, however, to- 0p erate the j aw-pieces,said j aw-pieces areforced inwardly or toward each other and caused to assume a position atright angles to the normal position of the bit-sections, whereby theknobs or projections b are brought to bear squarely upon the jaw insteadof taking an inclined position, and consequently exert a much morepowerful clamping action than would be the case if straight j aW-pieceswere employed.

To adapt the jaw-pieces for exerting a more powerful pressure thanotherwise and to provide for the ready and convenient application andremoval of the appliance, I make said jaw-pieces in the form each of anoblong open link of suflicient length and width to permit of the passageof the rein-ring A and cheek-pieces A therethrough and also of a widthto provide for an extended bearing upon the jaw and the effectivesqueezing of the cheek of the animal between the arms thereof. The armsof each jaw-piece are also formed at or about midway of their lengthwith lateral segmental projections or knobs b,

which are adapted when the jaw-pieces are forced inward to bear withgreat force and to concentrate the pressure at two points upon the gums.It will thus be seen that by making the jaw-pieces of oblong open-linkform important advantages are obtained.

The nose-band may be provided, if desired,

- with an orifice B by means of which it may be suspended from the crownof the bridle; but this is not essential, as the use of anoverdraw-strap may be dispensed with without afiecting the operation ofthe device.

In operation the nose-band is normally in the position shown in Fig. 1and is not felt by the horse at all, in consequence of which the horsemay be driven with a light hand and controlled by the simple guidance ofthe finger and thumb. When correction or coercion, however, isnecessary, a more severe strain may be applied to the reins, whereuponthe great powers of the bridle will be developed suiiicient to controlthe most vicious horse, as by pulling the reins in a backward directionthe jaw-pieces B are forced toward the center or joint of the bit, asshown in Fig. 2, and the projections b are forced against the cheeks ofthe horse and press upon the gums of each side, and the pain thus causedforces the horse to open its jaws and release the bit. I prefer toconstruct the jawpieces B in the form of open oblong links, as thesealso permit of the same being fastened by a suitable connection to therear ends a of the rings A to render the appliance inoperases erativewhen a bridle provided therewith is used upon a gentle horse.

The device may be provided with a leather or other covering to preventchafing of the horse.

Changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction maybe made within the scope of the invention without departing from thespirit or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

The combination, with a jointed bit, of j aw-pieces slidable upon thebit-sections, said jaw-pieces being provided with projections to bearupon the sides of a horses jaw and having their inner ends outwardlycurved at an acute angle to the normal position of the bit-sections andadapted, when said bit-sections are drawn rearwardly, to assume a po-.

sition at right angles thereto to bring said projections squarely intocontact with the jaw, and a resilient nose-band connecting the outerends of the jaw-pieces, substantially as set forth.

In testimony of the foregoing specification I do hereby sign the same,in the city of New York, in the county and State of New York, this 22dday of September, A. D. 1899. V

I PETER HARVEY -FLYNN. \Vituesses:

J. ODELL FOWLER, J r., MARY BLAKE.

